DREAM TEAM PLAYS THEIR "DREAM 18"
From the MGA Golfing News Newsletter, August 1982
On June 2nd, 1982, a unique foursome composed of touring pro, Ben Crenshaw; Golf Magazine Editor, George Peper; MGA President, Joe Donahue, and MGA 
Executive Director, Jay Mottola played what has been called the craziest round of golf ever. The group, with the aid of a helicopter and some quick getaway cars, played 18 holes of golf at 18 different golf courses around the metropolitan area in one day. The "Dream Course" included 18 holes from six courses on Long Island, one in Connecticut, five in Westchester and six in New Jersey. The final Course measured 7,217 yards, played to a par 72 and included some of the most beautiful and testing holes in the metropolitan area. The group began at 6:00 A.M. from Shinnecock Hills on Long Island and finished some 13 hours later on Baltusrol's fourth hole.
It was one of those ideas that never should have worked but, because no one had the time (or sanity) to question its feasibility - it did. Putting credit or blame where it belongs, the idea came from George Peper who, while attending an MGA Public Information Committee Meeting, suggested compiling a list of "dream holes" in the metropolitan area and using the article in the MGA Newsletter. It was only said in jest that someone might try to play all the holes in one day, but two days later George and Jay Mottola were on the phone plotting the scenario for this whirlwind round of golf. The plot thickened when Ben Crenshaw took a keen interest in the idea but could only do it on June 2nd. That now left two weeks for the group to poll the writers, pros, and amateurs on their selections; select the final 18 holes; contact the clubs; and find a helicopter pilot crazy enough to go along with it.
Right from the start it looked as though the "Dream 18" would become a "Nightmare 18" when fog delayed the group's liftoff from their second hole at National by at least 1 ½ hours. However, as I have always suspected, God must be a golfer; for in the midst of two weeks of weather suitable only for ducks and umbrella salesmen, the skies opened up, turned bright blue, and the temperature stayed a merciful 75° (lower than the final scores I might add).
The foursome quickly shed their early morning blues and a mild case of air sickness, and barreled through the remaining courses on Long Island. They arrived at Stanwich Club in Connecticut to play their 7th hole (the 17th) at 1:45 P.M.
The dream team encountered yet another small setback at Knollwood CC. The foursome almost became a threesome when some enthusiastic women from a gallery of about 100 well-wishers became quite insistent that Mr. Crenshaw join them for a few "shots" at the 19th hole. Duly rescued by his partners, Crenshaw escaped and, foursome intact, I caught up with them at Quaker Ridge Golf Club at about 4:00 P.M.
The group looked perky, energetic and in great spirits and I couldn't help thinking that they were just four little kids out on an adventure- the Huckleberry Finns of Golf. They giggled a lot (must've been the thin air in the helicopter) yet dutifully went about the business of unloading the car, carting out to the hole and re-loading with remarkable precision and timing. It was at this point I was sure they would make it. But would they make it before dark? It was 4:15 and they had one more hole down the road at Winged Foot and six more stops in New Jersey.
Their highly developed skill at jumping in and out of helicopters now was in their favor, for almost all of the stops in New Jersey were helicopter landings. The five hours it took to complete six holes on Long Island now took a little over two hours in New Jersey. As word spread to the remaining clubs that the flying foursome was on their way, skepticism gave way to excitement and anticipation. The crowd began to gather at Baltusrol Golf Club, their last stop, at about 6:30 P.M. and you can be sure there was some heavy betting taking place on the time of arrival and condition of the players. Nonetheless, daylight savings held off the night and the venturesome foursome disembarked to a crowd of about 150 disbelieving fans and played their last hole at about 7:40 P.M.
The weary but cheerful group enjoyed dinner and a cocktail party at Baltusrol where the press and TV media queried the players on their exploit.
The scores for the day were exceptionally good considering the circumstances and Crenshaw, after a bad start, even managed to play sub-par golf on the back nine. Among the group there was not one who didn’t think it was worth it, not just from a public relations point of view, but because it was just plain old fun to be a part of the craziest round of golf ever played.
The Metropolitan Golf Association wishes to thank all who assisted in this very exciting adventure. For Crenshaw in particular, whose only regret was that he did not have more time to get a closer look at some of the courses, and for the rest of the team, the escapade laid to rest any doubts that the metropolitan area has the largest concentration of magnificent golf courses in one area in the world!
- Jeanne McCooey
